A-HEAD Project Awards Recognize Art's Role in Mental Health Dialogue at Palazzo Valentini

On December 5, the third edition of the International Prize 'Giovan Battista Calapai e Theodora van Mierlo Benedetti' was awarded at Palazzo Valentini's Sala Di Liegro in Rome. Organized by A-HEAD Project (Angelo Azzurro Onlus) under the patronage of the Metropolitan City of Rome and conceived by Piero Gagliardi, the event highlights the intersection of contemporary art and mental health awareness. The jury, including Lorenzo Benedetti, Dora Stiefelmeier, Mario Pieroni, Gianfranco Grosso, and Teresa Macrì, selected three winning projects. Alessio Barchitta received the main prize for his hybrid painting-sculpture-installation work exploring material memory. Giulia Zabarella earned a special mention for a performance piece examining body and language. The collective Zeroscena (Elisa La Boria and Luka Bagnoli) won the Piero Gagliardi Prize, with an artwork acquired for the MUSMA museum in Matera. The ceremony also featured speeches by officials including Tiziana Biolghini and Stefania Calapai, a discussion with psychiatrist Alessandro Bellotta and curators, and a sonic intervention by artist Flavia Lazzarini. Winning works will be disseminated through the 3500 cm² platform curated by Lorenzo Benedetti.